SLCN Gazette's Online Magazine, COVID-19-Special Edition

Bitter Truth
B Y A P R I L M A E M . L A B R A D O R
Recent observations have shown
that strict social distancing and selfquarantine
procedures are also likely
to have an impact on a city's level of
air pollution.
Quality-monitoring satellites run by
NASA and the European Space
Agency have reported significant air
pollution declines. The pandemic,
however, is temporary and can still
be reversed. But experts warned
that observed improvements are
transient and that as cities,
countries, and economies bounce
back, so will pollution - unless
significant infrastructure or social
practices are adopted.
Also, we need to take a moment and
think about what we want to happen
and what we need to do once
everything goes back to normal.
Maybe we can reflect on the way we
are being governed or how issues
such as health care, poverty,
infrastructure, and pollution are
being addressed.
If we can create plans for other
catastrophic events such as this
pandemic, then maybe we will be
more prepared. It's also possible that
we will be able to prevent these
disasters from happening. There is
still hope.
S T . L U K E ' S C O L L E G E O F N U R S I N G S L C N O N L I N E G A Z E T T E | P A G E 0 7